Artois

The homeland of the artesian well, Artois lies in the flatlands of northern France where streams flow sluggishly and cooking is dull. Located between Flanders and Picardy, it lies north and west of the wine belt. The natives of Artois, like their closest neighbors, are drinkers of beer and great eaters of the heavy and sweet-sour foods that seem to go with it.

Arras, its main city, was the first French center of weaving in wool and a great producer of superb Renaissance tapestries. Textile and other industries have ever since set the simple life style of Artois. Repeated invasions by foreign troops from Burgundy, France, and Spain also kept Artois from developing a distinctive cuisine.